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Covid-19 Journal by Kristin Batsel; Another Mini Spring Garden!
Filed under Art Projects, Back in Stock, Giveaways, Kristin Batsel, Miniatures, Moroccan Doorways Kit, Shannon Cooper
This project by Design Team Member Kristin Batsel is fantastic! From the concept through the execution: it’s truthful and fun but not flippant.
As an example, a bit from Kristin’s blog post:
Like most of the world, I have been sheltering in place for the last 34 days (yes, I’m keeping count). Crafting has been great entertainment, and one might even say, therapy. Making this Covid-19 Journal certainly was that for me.
I cut up a lot of newspaper in the making of this book; the background paper for all the pages was created by gluing articles about the virus to the covers (made from a House Shaped ATC Frame Set), and each of the pages, which are thin cardboard cut to size. I gave each page a thin layer of acrylic paint, a little ink, and some paint details. The type fades into the background, but if you look closely, you can still see lots of what it says. Anyway, enough chatter, let’s look at photos.
The front cover. Hopefully this conveys the feeling of being stuck inside. I started out with just the “metal” bars, but then added the red arch to make it seem more restrictive. Even that didn’t seem enough, so I added the “call again” emergency tape. Part of the beauty of having tons of collage sheets is finding something that just works. That emergency tape is actually a small cigar band image from the Mini Cigar Box Trims Collage Sheet. Like all of the type throughout the book, with the exception of the snarky captions, the “COVID-19” title and the “shelter-in-place” type were also cut from the paper.
The expression on this face is everything. All she needed was a mask, which I drew with colored pencils on a piece of typing paper, then cut out and glued down. My light table came in handy to show the shape of her face and and enable me to make the mask fit properly.
Nice job on drawing that mask, Kristin! There are other little props through the book that Kristin added (like her favorite treats). Plus see the wide photo below for a turban that was transformed into a bath towel:
As someone who really doesn’t mind spending a lot of time at home (when it’s by choice!), I did note that other than not having the option of going out, some things hadn’t really changed. I did, however, quit using a hairdryer and wearing makeup and jewelry, and we do seem to go through the alcohol faster than usual.
Nice work integrating all the tile patterns from the Moroccan Tiles Collage Sheet as backgrounds for the text snippets, too. (And I completely agree with the sentiment on the back cover — directly below!)
You can see more photos and read more on her blog post. Plus here’s Kristin’s supply list.
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FLASH SALE on Die-Cut Borders & Fences & Trims – 25% off!
(This choice will make more sense after you check out the back in stock Arbor Kit and related artwork below. Though this group does include the Chipboard Gates used as metal bars in Kristin’s artwork!)
The sale ends at midnight PST, FRIDAY night, April 17th. See them all here — over 50 choices!
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Spring Escape Garden Giveaway!
After that whirlwind of garden miniatures made from paper punches in the last newsletter, I remembered this similarly beautiful Spring Escape Garden (also made by Shannon Cooper, who made last Sunday’s project). So I’m bringing 3 of the chipboard items from that project back!
Note that this project is from 2016 (long before we moved to the new site). You can view more photos and a tutorial on Shannon’s blog post but here’s the current link to her supply list.
I’m including all 3 of those back in stock items in the photos below! Note that Shannon turned the platform upside-down, then fill it with floralist’s foam and all the plants (so it’s like a box to contain the garden).
Plus a couple little props also in the Giveaway:
– Tiny 3D Hedgehog
– Mini Ivy Garland (Note: this one is a substitute as most of the pre-made greenery from the original project are now sold out.)
AND the Star Mini Punch! It was part of last Sunday’s newsletter and Shannon used it to make paper roses at the top of the arbor at right (see that star punch link for a quick pic, or Shannon’s tutorial for more photos).
To enter the Spring Escape Garden Giveaway drawing all you have to do is leave a comment BELOW on this blog post TODAY or TOMORROW (the deadline is 11:59 pm PST, FRIDAY Night, April 17, 2020).
Don’t forget to leave your (hello!) correct email address, too, so I can contact the winner; your email address does not need to be made public. Note: I’m offering free shipping, too, but only within the USA. International shipping will still apply.
Please be patient! Spammers try to post crap here a lot so comments are moderated. So if you don’t see your post in the comments section, be patient and check back in a few hours before re-posting it, please!
After midnight, I’ll randomly pick the winner (via Random.org).
Oh! Pink Hydrangeas Giveaway winner from the last newsletter! Drum roll, please: The winner is Laurie! Laurie commented: “What do I love? Miniatures and plants. This was made for me. So cute, so detailed. Nice work!” Please check your email for more information.
Note: As the mail service (oh, everything) is not running smoothly these days, I’m a little behind sending out the Giveaway prize packages (plus I’m short-staffed so I’ve been prioritizing paid orders). But don’t worry: your packages are still coming!
spring always makes me feel better. And a small garden makes it bright constantly!
Oh, what a lovely garden! Wouldnt it be nice to be relaxing there, crafting, with a cup of tea, away from the world,crisis!
This is so sweet and there is a hedgehog!
I found the hedgehog…yay
I love this garden. Look great in my fairy garden.
Love the arbor kit!🥰
I love the garden and have to admit, that covid book is pretty cool too.
SWEET!!! So ready for spring, we keep getting nice weather and then snow…The arbor is amazing, would love one for my real garden 😉 Fabulous giveaway!!!
how timely….a good way to use all that spare time
This is stunning! I would make this as a housewarming, er, garden warming, gift for my sweet friends new home.
The arbor would make an awesome entrance to an old grave yard in a haunted garden…
I’m loving all of the spring flower projects.
Can’t wait to spring into the awesome arbor and garden scene! My happy place!
OMG…Covid19. This is so clever.
Amazing. This project is perfect for dealing with both the stay at home orders and Winter blues depending on when you pull it out. Love it.
Wonderful journal! We are all a little like the hedgehog these days.
I have n garden, no porch, and living in a loft, no windows I can open. I’ve been home now for 44 days and counting and would LOVE to ‘plant’ this garden. Help!!
Spring? We just got snow this morning in Connecticut! ❄️ ⛄️
This is to cute! I’ve always wanted to do a secret garden!!!
I just wanna live in that spring garden right now!
this garden is beautiful and just what we need!!
Wow – this is surreal. It looks like my sister’s garden in northern Michigan. She has a white picket fence with thousands of flowers. Under the grape vines she has an arch.
Spring Escape Garden Giveaway! That would just be wonderful to win this giveaway! I great way to escape the virus in spring miniature garden!
Wish I had a few journals, definitely would be making them. great ideas, as always Kristin. Leslie you are doing a great job through this pandemic. I want to plant some Flowers!!!
I place hedgehogs in all my miniature scenes. Love this garden setting, at our real home we try to enjoy the evenings by eating outside but the mosquitoes aren’t friendly
So refreshing to find this today! Creating an indoor respite garden is wonderful medicine for these crazy times. Big hugs to you and the team, Leslie. <3
ODE to Spring! Oh to be out there in the sunshine and among the flowers! Planting a garden, even in miniature!
Looking at this makes me happy!
The arch way is beautiful. Some beautiful items here and awesome work
What an adorable giveaway.I love the hedgehog!
The Covid-19 journal is so cool! Love the garden giveaway. Spring has finally sprung!
So beautiful- you have given me so many ideas for a fun spring scene- maybe include a fish pond!!!
So colorful. Wish I could grow a garden like that!
Beautiful spring garden scene! Would love to make one like this!
Love Kristin’s Covid-19 journal as it captures my exact feelings about these crazy days, right down to the alcohol consumption. Leslie hang in there, everyone keep crafting and stay well! I think a beautiful garden scene like Shannon’s is just what we need to lift our spirits!
Oh, The garden is lovely. I wish the arbor was in one inch scale!
Something lovely to take the mind off everything.
What an adorable garden scene! And I am totally in love with that sweet little hedgehog.😍